County semi-final heartbreak for U21 ladies
The old adage that goals win games rang very true around Killavullen GAA Grounds on Sunday as Naomh Fionnbarra raised six green flags to frustrate the home team, who themselves scored a highly impressive 2-16 over the hour. The visitors had made the long trek from Ballingeary and Inchigeela to contest this Under 21 county semi-final, but they were the first to settle with Clara Walsh and Ava Lankford points our only answers in the opening quarter to a goal and three points from the mid-Cork side.
This period saw Naomh Fionnbarra defend their goal with huge determination and try as they might the girls in blue failed to breach the goal-line. Hannah Martin and Ava Hanrahan tried valiantly from either corner to fashion scores but a packed goalmouth held firm.
An increase in tempo from Killavullen and more precise passing brought a marked improvement in the second quarter, and the two Ava’s profited from a good supply of ball from Andrea Fresh and Caoimhe O’Riordan. Clara Walsh and Kate O’Keeffe made their trademark driving runs forward. Ava Lankford pilfered a goal and three points, while Ava Hanrahan added two points.
Edwina Dingivan, Clare Brennan and Emma Taylor, as always were giving their all in front of goal, while Siobhán Sheehan, Claire McGuire and Camille Ní Shúilleabháin were getting the upper hand in the half back line. Naomh Fionnbarra were rattled and managed only two points. At the short whistle, the lead had swung in Killavullen’s favour, as we now led 1-7 to 1-5.
The game resumed in similar fashion with Ava Lankford kicking two frees with exceptional accuracy and Killavullen supporters dared to dream of a county final appearance. But the Gaeltacht girls had other ideas and they hit a purple patch. Despite the best efforts of our hard-working backs and some great saves from Emily Fresh, we yielded three goals and a point, before Ava Hanrahan raised our hopes again with a cracking goal. Ellie Coughlan used her speed and athleticism to win and carry the ball. Lily Sheahan had opened well in the half back line before switching to the forward line.
Fresh legs were introduced to telling effect in the person of Caoimhe Griffin and Rachel O’Sullivan and the whole team found renewed energy for a spell.
Ava Lankford maintained her exhibition of point-scoring from play as well as from frees. Five points from her, as well as a point from Ava Hanrahan, over a twelve minute period, pushed us ahead by the minimum and the tension was palpable. Disaster struck when Naomh Fionnbarra pounced for yet another goal. Killavullen were still not prepared to surrender and fought valiantly to fashion a score to at least level the game, with time ticking ominously towards the final whistle. A cruel blow was dealt at the end, however, as it was the visitors who were to get the goal that copper-fastened their victory.
A fantastic effort from a wonderful panel of players was unfortunately not enough. Congratulations to Naomh Fionnbarra and best of luck in the final.
Team and scorers: Emily Fresh, Edwina Dingivan, Clare Brennan, Emma Taylor, Claire McGuire, Lily Sheahan, Camille Ní Shúilleabháin, Andrea Fresh (captain), Caoimhe O’Riordan, Clara Walsh 0-1, Kate O’Keeffe, Ellie Coughlan, Ava Hanrahan 1-3, Ava Lankford 1-12, Hannah Martin, Jessica Scuffins, Siobhán Sheehan, Rachel O’Sullivan, Caoimhe Griffin, Elizabeth Palmer, Aideen Cagney, Katie Turner.
LOTTO
There was no winner of the Lotto jackpot of €2,000 this week, when the draw took place in the Community Centre. The numbers drawn were 1, 18 and 26. The jackpot on the night was, at €2,000. Next week, the jackpot will be €2,100. The winners of the Lucky dips on last Tuesday night were as follows; €50 Redmond Lane, seller himself. €30 Josephine Hazelwood seller John Angland. €20 John Magner, seller himself. Purchase your ticket from any committee member or from our website: Killavullengaa.com.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
Division 1 Junior Hurling league, is due to be played on 8th April in Churchtown versus Churchtown/ Liscarroll Gaels at 18.45pm.
MNANO NAGLE BIRTHPLACE
Nano Nagle Birthplace is a living heritage centre located amongst the breath taking scenery of the Blackwater Valley. The centre marks the birthplace of the foundress of the Presentation Congregation, Nano Nagle.
Nano (full name Honora) Nagle was born in Ballygriffin, County Cork, Ireland in 1718. This was the period in Irish history when the English had imposed the oppressive Penal Laws, which severely limited the Irish people.
Because of her family’s position and wealth, Nano was sent to be educated in the Irish community in Ypres near Brussels, and then moved to living in Paris. One morning the charming, wealthy, and beautiful Miss Nagle was returning from an all-night ball. As her carriage rattled over the cobblestones of a silent street, she saw a small group of poor working people waiting in front a church for the door to open for early Mass. The contrast between their useful lives and her own empty one devoted to pleasure made a lasting impression on the girl of twenty-two.
Returning to Ireland, other events lead Nano to consider a way that she could help the poor she saw every day in Cork and on the family estate. Distressed by the ignorance of the Irish in both faith and academics, she opened her first school in 1754 with an enrolment of thirty-five girls in a two-room cabin. These began her great work of education and as some historians have noted her important work in saving the Irish culture.
Without regard for her own safety, she selflessly educated the children during the day and visited and nursed the sick by night. As a result, she became known in Cork as the Lady with the Lantern, the symbol of the Sisters of the Presentation worldwide. Today the people of Ireland, especially in Cork, who attribute their freedom to her,
revere her.
Eventually, realizing the need for a group to continue her work after her death, Nano founded the Sisters of the Presentation on December 24, 1775.
Nano died from tuberculosis, Monday, April 26, 1784.
The Presentation Sisters first came to live in Ballygriffin in 1984. They were warmly welcomed and supported by the people of Killavullen parish and in turn contributed in various ways to the life of the parish. The site is adjacent to the old Railway track, from Mallow to Rosslare, and the proposed greenway, from Mallow to Dungarvan.
Now, Nano Nagle Birthplace, in the townland of Ballygriffin, Killavullen, Mallow, Co. Cork is a centre for Heritage, Spirituality and Ecology. Sustainability and care of the earth form a major part of the ethos of our business. Nano Nagle Birthplace base is a 32-acre certified organic farm with dining facilities and self-catering accommodation that operates to the highest environmental standards. It has a fantastic walk all around the grounds, that straddle the majestic Blackwater River, and has been advanced in recent years with attractive Post and rail fencing, and excellent housekeeping, in the grounds and gardens, led by the Presentation Nuns, and with help from persons, from the local Community Employment scheme.
Nano Nagle Birthplace provides tranquillity and spirituality and is the perfect location for those looking for some time out in a natural peaceful setting.
The mission of Nano Nagle Birthplace is to promote a vision of eco spirituality - the natural interconnectedness of everything, which leads to personal transformation and a sense of responsibility to our earth and to all living beings.
Nano Nagle Birthplace run retreats, courses, school programmes, day away programmes and host conferences and events. Visitors can come and do a heritage and organic farm tour, cosmic walk, work on an allotment and simply enjoy the natural beauty of the place.
Nano Nagle cared deeply for the dignity of all people. In a world where the sense of belonging is fragile and fragmented, where affluence and poverty contribute to the erosion of human values, global division and the depletion of earth’s resources, Nano Nagle Birthplace offers an opportunity to young and old to experience the wholeness and interconnectedness of life.
It is a site that is very much worth a visit.
MEMBERSHIP 2022
Membership for all aspects of the club is now due for 2022, and the club would be gracious if persons will pay the appropriate fee on the new Central GAA App - Foireann and select Cill An Mhuilinn as your club.
Any person experiencing difficulties on the platform can play their subscription to any committee member, or make arrangement to pay directly, to the club treasurer Sean Turner at 086-6015779 or membership officer John O’Donovan, on 086-3934232.
It is also possible to pay via the club website now - www.killavullengaa.com.
Pay before the deadline date of 17th April 2022, and be in with a chance to win two tickets for the Ed Sheeran concert in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, on Thursday, 28th April.
MOTTO FOR THE WEEK
You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try - attributed to Dolly Parton.